Quintiles announces agreements to expand lab testing capabilities in China

In a ceremony underscoring the growing importance of China to the global biopharmaceutical industry, Quintiles executives and local dignitaries today announced agreements to establish a Quintiles regional headquarters for China in Shanghai and to significantly expand lab testing capabilities in China.    

Chenggang Zhu, Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Xuhui District People's Government and executives from the Shanghai Clinical Research Centre (SCRC), Quintiles' strategic partner in the China-based lab initiative, joined Quintiles' executives at the ceremony.

"With its burgeoning economy and growing healthcare needs for its 1.3 billion citizens, China exemplifies the opportunities and challenges of the New Health," said Quintiles Executive Chairman Dennis Gillings, CBE. "By broadening our investment and infrastructure here, Quintiles is ready to partner with our biopharma customers as they look to realize China's potential."

Under a joint venture agreement, Quintiles will engage SCRC to provide lab testing services to local customers.

To provide the infrastructure essential for its growth strategy in China, Quintiles is investing US$14 million to establish a new 4,000-square-meter (43,000 square feet) headquarters in Shanghai to serve China and nearby Asian countries. The office in Feng Lin Science Park is designed to achieve LEED Gold accreditation; it is expected to accommodate more than 450 employees in the next five years.

"These investments and agreements demonstrate our commitment to this District and to China," said Ling Zhen, General Manager for Quintiles' operations in China. "Quintiles recognizes the unique needs of our customers in China. By collaborating with SCRC in labs we can help local and international biopharma companies develop new and better medicines to serve China's enormous unmet medical needs."

Rongxing Gan, President of SCRC, said: "SCRC's Central Laboratory's experienced staff and modern technology will be further enhanced through Quintiles' investments. We are delighted to work closely with Quintiles to further biopharma innovation and improve human health."